Portsmouth

1. Portsmouth pilot boarding point – vessels >150 m (1 M W of Nab Tower) Pilot boards50°40.1′N 000°58.7′W

Water density

1025.

Tides

Range 3.9m springs, 1.9m neaps.

Deepest first. The draught is the largest any of the terminal's berths states; a dash means the source gives none.

Approach

The outer part of the main approach channel into Portsmouth Harbour lies between Horse and Dean Sand and Spit Sand. The inner part of the channel lies between Spit Sand and East Sand with a narrow coastal bank fronting the coast NW of Southsea Castle. The main approach channel and within the entrance to abreast North Corner turning circle is dredged to a depth of 9.5m and is well marked by leading marks and lightbuoys. Within the harbour entrance, the main channel is bounded on both sides by the 10m contour.

Port limits

The port limits are defined as: The area of the Solent outside the harbour as extends from Gilkicker Point Light (50°46.4'N 001°8.4'W) to the W end of Ryde Pier (50°44.3'N 001°09.6'W) and from a position at Culver Cliff on the Isle of Wight (50°40'N 001°05.6'W) to the NAB Tower (50°40'N 000°57.1'W) then to a position 1.1nm due S of Selsey Bill (50°43.3'N 000°47.2'W) then on a line due N to a position 0.1nm due S of Selsey Bill, then to Chichester Beacon (50°45.9'N 000°56.4'W), then to Cambrian Wreck Buoy (50°44.4'N 001°03.4'W) and then due N to the shoreline (50°46.9'N 001°03.4'W) and all the tidal waters within Portsmouth Harbour.

Traffic schemes and VTS

VTS is in operation in the Solent, Portsmouth and Southampton waters with radar and AIS stations installed.

Anchorages

Outer anchorage - Spithead:

Spithead (50°45'N 001°07'W) is bounded on its S side by Ryde Sand and No Man's Land and on its N side by Spit Sand and Horse and Dean Sand and affords anchorage to many vessels.

Man-of-War Anchorage at Spithead, with depths of 5.0-24.0m, lies S of Spit Sand.

Merchant vessels may only anchor in Man-of-War Anchorage at Spithead with the consent of QHM Portsmouth.

Prohibited anchorage: Anchorage is prohibited in many areas, on account of numerous submarine cables which cross the harbour, some are marked by beacons and dolphins and notice boards.

Restrictions

The Southampton VTS Centre makes hourly broadcasts on VHF Ch 12 giving information on moving prohibited zones in operation in the precautionary area during busy summer periods.

Moving prohibited zone: A precautionary area has been established in Thorn Channel. All vessels of over LOA 150m whilst navigating within this precautionary area will be given a moving prohibited zone around the vessel of 1,000m ahead and 100m either side of the vessel.

All vessels of over LOA 150m when navigating in the precautionary area are required to display, where it can best be seen, by day a black cylinder, by night three all round red lights in a vertical line, as defined by Rule 28 of International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea to indicate visually the presence of the moving prohibited zone ahead and either side of the vessel. When operationally possible such vessels will be preceded by the Southampton Harbour patrol launch.

Tugs

J Butcher & Sons Ltd provide local tug services for most vessels. Admiralty tugs are available to commercial vessels by prior arrangement with QHM. SMS towage provide tug services for commercial vessels calling to Portico Cargo Terminal within an hour notice with 2 tugs of 3,300HP available.

Charts and publications

BA 8002, 2675, 2656, 2631, 2629, 2628, 2625, 2450, 2045, 2037, 2036, 2. Admiralty Pilot NP27, NP286(1).

Communications

VHF: Pilot: Ch 10, 11 and 14. Email: [email protected].

Pilot vessel: Ch 09, 11, 12.

Queen's Harbour Master: Ch 11, 13, 73. Email: [email protected].

Portsmouth Harbour Radio: Ch 11, 14. Tel: +44 23 92727395, Fax: +44 23 92824662.

The Queen's Harbour Master (QHM) co-ordinates all shipping movements within Portsmouth Harbour and its approach channels to the N of a line joining Gilkicker Point and the Outer Spit Lightbuoy. Advice will be given regarding other shipping movements and matters affecting navigation in the harbour. The Queen's Harbour Master's operations room (callsign "QHM") maintains a continuous listening watch on Ch 11 and 13 and uses these channels for the co-ordination of shipping movements. Ch 11 and 13 are manned 24 hours a day. All vessels bound to, from, or through the Port of Portsmouth are required to communicate with the Queen's Harbour Master.

Ch 11 is designated as the Portsmouth Harbour commercial working channel. The Commercial Port Authority (callsign "Portsmouth Harbour Radio") maintains a 24 hour listening watch on this channel. Naval vessels underway within the harbour may use Ch 11 to exchange navigation information with merchant vessels in close proximity. Ch 13 is designated the working channel for warships but may be used by others to communicate with warships, by requesting permission from the QHM on Ch 11.

Health

As per UK regulations. Ship Sanitation Control and Ship Sanitation Control Exemption Certificates issued.

Customs and immigration

As per UK regulations.

Port State Control here: Paris MOU.

Running now: the Paris and Tokyo MOU concentrated inspection campaign on cargo securing, 1 September to 30 November 2026. Its questions are published: the questionnaire.

ISPS

ISPS Designated Authority: Transport and Security Directorate (TRANSEC) of the Department for Transport.

Position: Head of Maritime Security Operations.

Address: TRANSEC Department for Transport, 5th Floor, Southside, 105 Victoria Street, London, SW1E 6DT, United Kingdom

Tel: +44 207 944 2844 (24 hrs)

Fax: +44 207 944 2175

Email: [email protected]

Recognised Security Organisations:

RSO - ISSC Issue: Transec for passenger vessels. MCA for other vessels

RSO - Security Consultant Services: Transec for passenger vessels. MCA for other vessels.

The UK Department for Transport (DfT) is proposing, in line with EU regulations associated with the ISPS Code, to extend maritime security requirements to ships operating in domestic service and to port facilities serving them. The requirements would be based on those applicable to sea going vessels and generally would apply to domestic ships operating in 'sea areas', and which carry over 12 passengers or are over 500GT. Sea going ships which are certified to carry more than 250 passengers and tankers, especially those carrying oil and gas products, are considered as having the potential to be a target for attack.

For further ISPS information see IMO website http://www.imo.org.

Repairs

Most repairs undertaken.

Dry docks

Available at the Royal Navy dockyard only. Open to commercial vessels, the nearest commercial drydock is in Southampton.

The two largest drydocks "C" and "D" each have an extreme length of 259m and extreme breadth of 33.5m.

Bunkers, water and stores

Fresh water: Available by pipeline at all berths.

Bunkering: Fuel and diesel oil bunkers available by barge alongside berths at Portico Cargo Terminal and Portsmouth International Port Terminal.

Stores: Available.

Medical

League of Friends St Marys Hospital, 3.0km.

Transport

Nearest airport: Southampton Airport located at Southampton, 30.7km.

Airport facilities: Domestic and European flights.

Nearest railway: Portsmouth, 3km.

Working hours

Normally, 0900-1700hrs, work outside these hours is by arrangement and subject to overtime.

Where does the pilot board at Portsmouth?

The pilot boards at Portsmouth pilot boarding point – vessels >150 m (1 M W of Nab Tower), 50°40.1′N 000°58.7′W.

What time zone is Portsmouth in?

Local time at Portsmouth is UTC+0. Clocks go to UTC+1 on 28 Mar 2027. Back to UTC+0 on 31 Oct 2027.

What is the maximum draft at Portsmouth?

The deepest berth listed is at Naval Base Terminal: 10.00 m maximum draught. The "Max draft per terminal" table gives each terminal's figure.

What is the water density at Portsmouth?

1025.

Who carries out Port State Control at Portsmouth?

Port State Control at Portsmouth: Paris MOU.

What is the UN/LOCODE of Portsmouth?

The UN/LOCODE of Portsmouth is GBPME.

What crews who called at Portsmouth say: pilot boarding, the agent's papers, inspections, shore leave. Each tip is shown with the writer's rank and ship type, and an AI summary sits on top once there are three or more.

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